GB2243346A

GB2243346A - A sunroof for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2243346A
Application number: GB9106711A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Richard James Cowell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-03-31
Filing date: 1991-03-28
Publication date: 1991-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-28
Also published as: GB9007283D0; GB9106711D0; GB2243346B

Abstract

The sunroof comprises an openable section 16 and an adjacent section 18. The section 16 is initially tiltable and then movable into a position lower than section 18 by interaction of a cam ring 52 and a drive ring 38, and section 16 is then rotatable relative to the section 18 by operation of the cam ring so as to move beneath the section 18. Both the openable section 16 and the adjacent section 18 can be rotated in unison by operation of the drive ring 38. <IMAGE>

Description

A WINDOW FOR A VEHICLE The invention relates to a window for a vehicle and is primarily concerned with a window in the form of a sunroof.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a window for a vehicle comprising an openable section which is rotatable relative to an adjacent member to provide an opening.

Preferably, in an open position, the openable section and the adjacent member are arranged such that one at least partially overlies the other.

The openable section may be rotatable generally in the plane of the section.

The openable section may be tiltable as well as being rotatable.

The openable section is preferably movable from a first position substantially in line with the adjacent member to a second position offset from a plane containing the adjacent member to enable the openable section to rotate relative to the adjacent member.

Where the openable section is tiltable, the tilting movement is preferably effected by a device which initially tilts the openable section and subsequently moves the openable section into its second position.

The device may comprise a cam-like means which is movable relative to the openable section. The camlike means may be rotatable, e.g., in the direction of rotation of the openable section.

The cam-like means may include first and second guides which may locate spaced apart guide elements associated with the openable section. The guides may take the form of elongate slots and may be circumferentially spaced apart.

The first guide may include a portion which causes one part of the openable section to rise into its tilted position whilst the second guide may cause an opposite part of the openable section to lower towards said second position.

The first guide may include a further portion which subsequently causes said one part of the openable section to lower towards said second position.

The cam-like means may be ring-like and may be rotatable about an axis about which the openable section rotates.

Rotation of the cam-like means, once the openable section reaches its second position, is preferably arranged to cause rotation of the openable section relative to the adjacent member.

Rotation means may be provided for rotating the adjacent member. The rotation means may also cooperate with at least one of the spaced apart elements whereby movement of the rotation means causes both the openable section and adjacent member to rotate.

The cam-like means is preferably rotatable relative to the rotation means.

The rotation means may include a track, for example, an elongate opening, in which at least one of the aforesaid guide elements locates.

The track may include a first track part which causes said guide element to follow the cam means until the openable section reaches its second position, and a second track part along which at least one said elements will travel during rotation of the openable section relative to the adjacent member.

The said drive means may be ring-like and may be rotatable about the axis of rotation of the cam-like means.

The device which initially tilts the openable section and subsequently moves the openable section its second position may be provided with a rotary drive such as a gear drive. The gear drive may comprise gear teeth formed circumferentially around the device to enable it to be driven by a member such as a pinion.

The rotation means may be provided with a rotary drive such as a gear drive. The gear drive may comprise gear teeth formed circumferentially around the rotation means which is drivable by a member such as a pinion.

A common pinion may be provided for driving either the device or the rotation means. In such a case, the pinion may be movable into engagement either with gear teeth on the device or gear teeth on the rotation means. The pinion may be axially movably, e.g., by means of a lever. Pivotal movement of the lever may be arranged to operate a cam for shifting the pinion axially into engagement with the teeth on the device or the teeth on the rotate means. The lever may occupy respective first and second positions corresponding to first and second axial positions of the pinion.

The adjacent member may be mounted on the rotation means. In such a case, operation of the rotation means may be arranged to rotate both the rotatable section and the adjacent member simultaneously. Once the rotatable section has been rotated so as to lie fully beneath the adjacent member, one of the aforesaid elements preferably reaches a terminal end of the second track section in the drive means.

The openable section and/or the adjacent member may be semi-circular.

At least one of the openable section and adjacent member may be translucent. Where the window is used as a sunroof for a vehicle, the openable section and adjacent member may be arranged so as to form, prior to operation, a substantially uninterrupted part of a roof of a vehicle.

Conveniently, the device and the rotation means may fit one within the other coaxially and may also fit within a coaxial support member located on a surface such as the vehicle roof. This provides a most neat and compact arrangement. A ring-like carrier member may be suitably secured to the support member with the camlike means and drive member therebetween. The carrier member may define a water collection trough and means may be provided to enable the water to drain away from the trough.

Preferably, a rotary blind may be provided and, conveniently, may be mounted on the aforesaid carrier member. The blind can be opened or closed by rotation by a desired amount to correspond, e.g., with the amount by which the window is opened.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a window in accordance with said one aspect of the invention or any of the consistory clauses dependent thereon fitted as a sunroof in a vehicle.

A window for a vehicle in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. is a rear perspective view of a vehicle showing a window in accordance with the invention as a sunroof in the vehicle, Fig.2 is a diagrammatic exploded view in perspective of various components of the sunroof.

Figs.3, 4, and 5 are cross sections through the vehicle roof longitudinally of the vehicle and showing the sunroof with an openable section thereof in three different positions with the front of the vehicle being towards the right, Figs.6, 7 and 8 are cross-sections through cam and drive rings of the sunroof showing the openable section in three different positions with the front of the vehicle being towards the left, Figs.9, 10 and 11 are cross sections through a rotary drive for the sunroof in three different positions, Fig.12 is an underneath plan view of the rotary drive, Fig.13 is a cross section through the rotary drive of Fig.9 on line XIII-XIII in Fig.9 and Fig.14 is a set of diagrams showing the way in which the openable section of the sunroof can be operated by the rotary drive as shown in Figs.9 to 13.

In Fig.1 a vehicle has a roof 10 formed with a circular opening 12 in which a sunroof 14 is mounted. The sunroof 14 has an openable section 16 and an adjacent member 18. The openable section 16 and adjacent member 18 are semi-circular in shape. The full construction of the sunroof is described below.

With reference to Figs.2 and 3, the sunroof comprises a support ring 20 having a cylindrical body 22 and an annular shoulder 24. The shoulder 24 carries two diametrically opposed and upward extending location pegs 26. The support ring 20 has an in-turned flange 28 at its upper end formed with an annular groove 30 (Fig.3). The support ring 20 fits within a mounting 32 which may be of hollow cylindrical form, secured to the underside of the roof 10. Ideally the mounting 32 will be installed on the vehicle production line although it could be fitted subsequently. The mounting 32 has a cylindrical inner wall 34 which is suitably secured to the cylindrical body 22 of the support ring 20. The location pegs 26 locate in apertures 36 formed in the annular mounting 32.

A drive ring 38 (constituting the aforesaid "rotation member") has a cylindrical wall 40 having an annular shoulder 42 formed with gear teeth 44. The cylindrical wall 40 is formed with two diametrically opposed elongate tracks 46 each of which terminates at a vertical relatively shorter track 48. As shown in Fig.3, the cylindrical wall 40 fits closely within the cylindrical body 22 of the support ring and is formed at its upper end with an annular projection 50 which slidably locates in the groove 30. The drive ring 38 is rotatable within the cylindrical body 22 about an axis X passing through the centre of the drive ring.

The member 18 is secured to the drive ring 38 and carries a D-shaped seal 19. As shown clearly in Fig.3, the member 18 is formed with a projection 21. The projection 21 is suitably fixed within a groove 41 (Fig.3) formed in a semi-circular in-turned flange 43 on the drive ring 38.

A cam ring 52 (constituting the aforesaid "device" and "cam-like means") has a cylindrical wall 54 formed with two identical first guide slots 56 and two identical relatively shorter second guide slots 58. The four slots are formed in one half of the circumference of the cylindrical wall 54. The cylindrical wall 54 has an annular shoulder 60 at its lower end formed with gear teeth 62. As shown in Fig.3, the cylindrical wall 54 of the cam ring 52 fits within the cylindrical wall 40 of the drive ring 38 so as to be rotatable about axis X relative to the drive ring. The number of teeth and the pitch circle diameter of the gear teeth on drive ring 38 and cam ring 52 are identical.

The openable section 16 is carried by a semi-circular mounting 64 formed with four flanges 66 defining apertures 68. A D-shaped seal 69 fits around the openable section 16. As shown in Fig.3, seal 69 engages seal 19 in the closed position of openable section 16. Four drive pins 70, constituting the aforesaid "elements", (three of which are shown in Fig.2) pass through the respective apertures 68, through the respective slots 56, 58 in the cam ring 52 and through the tracks 46, 48 of the drive ring 38.

Each drive pin 70 comprises a head 72, a shank 74 which locates in the cam ring 52 and a ball-like end 76 which locates in the drive ring 38. The straight edge of the openable section 16 is formed with a gutter section 71 which engages the seal 69 and also catches water. In order to show in Fig.2 the elongate tracks 46 in the drive ring 38 and the guide slots 56, 58 of the cam ring 52, the drive ring 38 and cam ring 52 are shown rotationally out of phase relative to the semi-circular mounting 64.

An annular carrier 78 has an outer cylindrical wall 80 integral with an inner cylindrical wall 82. The outer cylindrical wall 80 is formed with a reduced diameter section 84 which fits within the lower end of the support ring 20 and is held therein, e.g., by an adhesive or other suitable means. The inner cylindrical wall carries a brush seal 86 around its periphery and supports a blind 88. The blind 88 is held in position on the inner cylindrical wall by a retainer 90 which snap-fits onto the inner cylindrical wall 82 but holds the blind 88 sufficiently loosely to enable the blind 88 to be opened circumferentially so that individual sections of the blind lie one upon the other.

The carrier 78 defines a trough 92 between the inner and outer cylindrical walls. The trough acts as a water collector and a suitable outlet may be provided (not shown) whereby water which collects in the trough can be drained to the exterior of the vehicle. Water which collects in gutter 71 will run to the ends of the gutter and into the trough 92.

The brush seal 86 sealingly engages the interior surface of the cam ring 52. The carrier 78 has a lower surface 94 formed with an annular projection 96 having a groove 98 therein. The groove 98 slidably receives an annular projection 100 at the lower end of the cam ring 52 so as to inhibit radially inward movement of the lower end of the cam ring.

The components shown in Fig.2 can be pre-assembled together as a complete unit. The support ring 20 can then be positioned within the mounting 32and suitably held therein, e.g. by adhesive. In that way, the assembled sun roof ideally lends itself to be built into a vehicle during its production phase.

Roof lining material 101 can be glued to the inner cylindrical wall 82 so as to extend around the bottom of the carrier 78 and up to the interior of the vehicle roof.

Particular reference is now made to Figures 6, 7 and 8 for a description of the action of the sunroof, the front of the vehicle being to the right of the drawings. In those Figures, parts of the cylindrical walls 40 and 54 of the drive ring 38 and cam ring 52 are shown in developed form to illustrate the action of the openable section 16 and the slots 56, 58 are shown diagrammatically and shorter than in Fig.2.

In Fig.6, the openable section 16 is shown in its undeflected position as in Fig.3 where the section 16 forms substantially a continuation of the roof 10 along with the adjacent member 18. With the drive ring 38 stationary, the cam ring 52 can be moved (by means to be described below) in the direction of arrow A in Fig.7 so as to cause a first guide pin 70 adjacent the rear end R of the section 18 to rise up a first portion 55 of the guide slot 56 into the position shown in Fig.7 and to cause a second guide pin 70 adjacent the front F of the section 16 to move along a section 57 of the guide slot 58 and down along track 48.Continued movement of the cam ring 52 in the direction A will cause the first guide pin 70 to move down a portion 55a of the guide slot 56 until it reaches the bottom of the slot and will cause the second guide pin 70 to move along a horizontal portion 57a of the guide slot 58 until it reaches the extreme down-turned right-hand end of that slot. In that position, the openable section 16 will occupy its horizontal lowest position (constituting the aforesaid second position) as shown in Fig.8 so that it can be rotated beneath the adjacent member 18. In that position, the guide pins 70 align with tracks 46. Such rotary movement is effected by still further rotational movement of the cam ring 52 in the direction A as shown in Fig.8 so that the ball ends 76 of the drive pins 70 slide along the track 46.The cam ring 52 can be rotated up to the point where the left-hand drive pin 70 as viewed in Fig.8 strikes the terminal end 47 (see Fig.2) of its track 46. In that position, the openable section 16 will lie fully beneath the adjacent member 18 as shown at (v) in Fig. 12.

In that position, or prior to reaching that position, rotational drive to the cam ring 52 can be disengaged and the drive ring 38 can be rotated instead. By rotating the drive ring 38, both the section 16 and the adjacent member 18 will simultaneously be rotated into any desired position.

A device for rotating the cam ring 52 and drive ring 38 will now be described with reference to Figs.9 to 13.

In Figs.9, 10 and 11 the gear teeth 44 of the drive ring 38 and the teeth 62 of the cam ring can be seen.

The gear teeth are co-operable with a pinion 100 having a splined hub 102. The splined hub is slidable on a splined shaft 104 rotatably mounted in a member 106 suitable secured to the roof 10 of the vehicle. The lower end of the splined shaft 104 is pivotally connected to a lever 108 having a hand knob 110 at its right-hand end as viewed in Fig.9. The left-hand end of the lever carries a pin 112 which is positioned within an inverted L-shaped slot 114 in a bracket 116 secured to or integral with the pinion 100. The lever 108 has fingers 108a pivotable on a bar 118 which passes through the lower end of the shaft 104 and through a hub 120 of a dish-shaped mounting 122 having an enlarged circular edge formed with an undercut groove 124. The undercut groove slidably locates a circular projection 125 formed on a member 126 suitably secured to the carrier 78 by means (not shown).The flanges 108a of lever 108 extends through openings 122a in the mounting 122. The peripheral wall 80 of the carrier 78 is cut away to enable the pinion 100 to engage either the teeth 44 or teeth 62.

Operation of the sunroof will now be described with particular reference to Figures 10, 11 and 12.

Where the sunroof is closed as in (i) in Fig.14, the lever 108 occupies its Fig.9 position preferably within a recess in a roof lining of the vehicle. in order to tilt the openable section 16, the lever 108 is pulled downwardly in the direction of arrow B in Fig.10 and Fig.14 (ii) thereby causing the pin 112 to rise up the inverted L-shaped slot 114 to the Fig.10 position. In that position, the pinion 100 meshes with the gear teeth 62 on the cam ring 52.Rotation of the lever 108 about the axis of shaft 104 then causes the cam ring 52 to rotate and move the openable section 16 into the position shown in Figs.4 and 7 and (ii) of Fig.14 Continued rotation of the lever 108 will cause the openable section 16 to move into the position shown in Figs.8 and (iii) in Fig.14 thereby occupying the aforesaid "second" position.

Further rotation of the lever 108 will then begin to turn the openable section 16 so as to move beneath the adjacent member 18. In (iv) of Fig.14, it can be seen that the openable section 16 has moved approximately half way beneath the adjacent member 18. Further movement of the cam ring 52 will cause the openable section 16 eventually to move completely beneath the adjacent member 18 as in Fig.5.

The lever 108 can then be pulled down further in the direction of arrow B into the position shown in Fig.11.

Such movement causes the pin 112 to ride into the horizontal upper part of the inverted L-shape slot 114 and, as the pin 112 can then move no further, continued downward movement of the lever 108 causes the pinion 100 to slide upwardly on the shaft 104 into the position shown in Fig.11 thereby disengaging gear teeth 62. In the Fig.11 position, the teeth of the pinion 100 engage teeth 44. Where the openable section 16 is positioned completely beneath the adjacent member 18 with two of the drive pins 70 at the terminal ends 47 of tracks 46, the teeth 62, 44 will be vertically aligned to permit a smooth engagement of teeth 44.

Rotation of the lever 108 will then cause the drive ring 38 to rotate thereby turning both the rotated openable section 16 and adjacent member 18 simultaneously. In that way, the section 16 and member 18 can be moved into a convenient position so as effectively to place the opening (indicated in heavy black shading in Fig.14) at a suitable position convenient to the passengers in the vehicle. One such position is shown in (v) in Fig.14.

If desired, the drive ring 38 could be engaged and rotated where the rotatable section 16 occupies the position shown in (iv) of Fig.14 so as to rotate the quarter circle opening into a position convenient to the passenger.

The sunroof can be closed by reversing the opening procedure, the lever 108 eventually occupying the position shown in Figs.9 and 14 (i).

Instead of using a lever 108 to rotate the pinion 100, an electric motor could be used instead. In such a case, suitable shifting means could be used to shift the pinion 100 or there could be two pinions in constant mesh with gear teeth 44, 62 respectively with selector means for drivably connecting one or other of the pinions to the shaft 104. Alternatively, two electric motors for driving respective pinions could be provided, one of which drives the drive ring 38 and the other of which drives the cam ring 52.

Claims

1. A window for a vehicle comprising an openable section which is rotatable relative to an adjacent member to provide an opening.

2. A window according to Claim 1 in which the openable section and the adjacent member are arranged such that one at least partially overlies the other.

3. A window according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the openabie section is rotatable generally in the plane of the section.

4. A window according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the openable section is tiltable as well as being rotatable.

5. A window according to any preceding Claim in which the openable section is movable from a first position substantially in line with the adjacent member to a second position offset from a plane containing the adjacent member to enable the openable section to rotate relative to the adjacent member.

6. A window according to any preceding Claim in which the openable section is tiltable and the tilting movement is effected by a device which initially tilts the openable section and subsequently moves the openable section into its second position.

7. A window according to Claim 6 in which the device comprises a cam-like means which is movable relative to the openable section.

8. A window according to Claim 7 in which the cam-like means is rotatable.

9. A window according to Claim 8 in which the cam-like means is rotatable in the direction of rotation of the openable section.

10. A window according to Claim 7, 8 or 9 in which the cam-like means includes first and second guides.

11. A window according to Claim 10 in which the guides take the form of slots.

12. A window according to Claim 11 in which the slots are circumferentially spaced apart.

13. A window according to any of Claims 10 to 12 in which the first guide includes a portion which causes one part of the openable section to rise into its tilted position.

14. A window according to any of Claims 10 to 13 in which the second guide causes part of the openable section to lower towards said second position.

15. A window according to Claim 13 or 14 in which the one part which rises is opposite to the part which lowers.

16. A window according to any of Claims 10 to 15 in which the first guide includes a further portion which subsequently causes said one part of the openable section to lower towards said second position.

17. A window according to any of Claims 7 to 16 in which the cam-like means is ring-like and rotatable about an axis about which the openable section rotates.

18. A window according to any of Claims 7 to 17 in which rotation of the cam-like means, once the openable section reaches its second position, is arranged to cause rotation of the openable section relative to the adjacent member.

19. A window according to any preceding Claim in which rotation means is provided for rotating the adjacent member.

20. A window according to Claim 19, in which the adjacent member is mounted on the rotation means.

21. A window according to Claim 20 in which operation of the rotation means is arranged to rotate both the rotatable section and the adjacent member simultaneously.

22. A window according to any of Claims 10 to 21 in which the first and second guides locate spaced apart guide elements associated with the openable section.

23. A window according to Claim 22 in which the rotation means co-operates with at least one of the spaced apart guide elements whereby movement of the rotation means causes both the openable section and adjacent member to rotate.

24. A window according to any of Claims 19 to 23 when appendant to any of Claims 7 to 18 in which the cam-like means is rotatable relative to the rotation means.

25. A window according to Claim 24 when appendant to Claim 19, 20 or 21 in which the rotation means includes a track in which at least one of the aforesaid guide elements locates.

26. A window according to Claims 25 and where said track is provided, in which the cam-like means includes a first track part which causes one said guide element to follow the cam-like means until the openable section reaches its second position, and a second track part along which at least one of said guide elements will travel during rotation of the openable section relative to the adjacent member.

27. A window according to any of Claims 19 to 26 in which the said rotation means is ring-like.

28. A window according to Claim 27 and where said cam-like means is provided, in which the ring-like rotation means is rotatable about the axis of rotation of the cam-like means.

29. A window according to Claim 6 or any of Claims 7 to 28 when appendant to Claim 6, in which the said device is provided with a rotary drive.

30. A window according to Claim 29 in which the rotary drive is a gear drive.

31. A window according to Claim 30 in which the gear drive comprises gear teeth formed circumferentially around the device to enable it to be driven by a member.

32. A window according to Claim 19 or any of Claims 20 to 31 when appendant to Claim 19 in which the rotation means is provided with a rotary drive.

33. A window according to Claim 32 in which the rotary drive is a gear drive.

34. A window according to Claim 32 or 33 in which the gear drive comprises gear teeth formed circumferentially around the rotation means which is drivable by a member.

35. A window according to Claim 31 and 34 in which said member comprises a common pinion gear for driving either the said device or the rotation means.

36. A window according to Claim 35 in which the pinion is movable into engagement either with gear teeth on the device or gear teeth on the rotation means.

37. A window according to Claim 36 in which the pinion is movable axially into engagement with the gear teeth on the device or rotation means.

38. A window according to Claim 37 in which the pinion is movable axially by means of a lever.

39. A window according to Claim 38 in which pivotal movement of the lever is arranged to operate a cam for shifting the pinion axially into engagement with the gear teeth on the device or the gear teeth on the rotation means.

40. A window according to Claim 38 or 39 in which the lever can occupy respective first and second positions corresponding to first and second axial positions of the pinion.

41. A window according to any preceding Claim in which the openable section and/or the adjacent member are semi-circular.

42. A window according to any preceding claim and where the said device and rotation member are provided, in which the device and the rotation member fit one within the other coaxially.

43. A window according to Claim 42 in which the device and rotation member fit within a coaxial support member located on a surface such as a vehicle roof.

44. A window according to Claim 43 in which a ring-like carrier member is suitably secured to the support member with the said device and rotation member therebetween.

45. A window according to Claim 44 in which the carrier member defines a water collection trough.

46. A window according to Claim 45 in which means is provided to enable the water to drain away from the trough.

47. A window according to Claim 44, 45 or 46 in which a rotary blind is provided on the aforesaid carrier member.

48. A window according to any preceding Claim fitted to a vehicle as a sunroof.

49. A window for a vehicle constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.